Above the Rim

Above the Rim
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Jeff Pollack
Produced by	James D. Brubaker Benny Medina Jeff Pollack
Screenplay by	Barry Michael Cooper Jeff Pollack
Story by	Jeff Pollack Benny Medina
Starring	Duane Martin Tupac Shakur Leon Robinson Bernie Mac Tonya Pinkins David Bailey Marlon Wayans
Distributed by	New Line Cinema
Release date(s)	March 23, 1994 (1994-03-23)
Running time	96 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$6.5 million
Box office	$16,192,320[1]

Above the Rim is a 1994 drama directed by Jeff Pollack. The screenplay was written by Pollack and journalist-turned-screenwriter Barry Michael Cooper (writer of New Jack City), from a story by Pollack and Benny Medina.

Starring Duane Martin, Tupac Shakur, Leon Robinson and Marlon Wayans, the film tells the story of a promising New York City high school basketball star and his relationships with two people; one a drug dealer and the other a basketball star now employed as a security guard at his former high school. The movie was shot in Harlem with various scenes in the movie filmed at Manhattan Center high school in East Harlem.

Plot

A young athlete aspiring to become a professional basketball player must make some tough decisions in this sports melodrama.

Kyle Lee Watson (Duane Martin) is a talented basketball player who is about to graduate from high school. While he waits to find out if he will receive a scholarship to Georgetown University he finds himself in a difficult dilemma over a playground basketball tournament. He must decide whether to play for and follow his good-hearted basketball coach or Birdie (Tupac Shakur), a local thug in the neighborhood. Kyle is also feeling resentment towards a security guard named Shepherd, or Shep (Leon Robinson), because his mother is falling in love with him.

Coincidentally, Kyle's coach also wants Shep to coach his team when he feels its time for him to retire, since Shep was previously a star basketball player himself. It is later revealed to Kyle that Shep is Birdie's older brother. Due to the death of a friend, Nutso, Shep cannot bear the thought of playing again.

Cast

• Duane Martin as Kyle
• Leon Robinson as Shep
• Tupac Shakur as Birdie
• Marlon Wayans as Bugaloo
• Bernie Mac as Flip Johnson
• David Bailey as Rollins
• Tonya Pinkins as Mailika
• Wood Harris as Motaw
• Shawn Michael Howard as Bobby
• Henry Simmons as Starnes
• Matthew Guletz as Nutso
• Michael Rispoli as Richie
• Byron Minns as Monrow
• Bill Rafferty as Himself
• James Williams as Speedy
• John Thompson as Himself

Soundtrack

1. "Anything" - SWV (Produced by Brian Morgan)
   • Samples "Get up and Dance" by Freedom
2. "Old Time's Sake" - Sweet Sable (Produced by Nikke Nikole)
   • Samples "Intimate Friends" by Eddie Kendricks
3. "Part time lover" - H-Town (Produced by Devante Swing)
4. "Big Pimpin" - Tha Dogg Pound feat. Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg and Big Pimpin' Delemond (Produced by Dat Nigga Daz)
5. "Don't mean to turn you on" - 2nd II None (Produced by 2nd II None, DJ Quik)
   • "Samples "I Don't Believe You Want to Get Up and Dance (Oopps)" by the Gap Band
6. "Doggy style" - DJ Rogers (Produced by Suamana Brown)
7. "Regulate" - Warren G. featuring Nate Dogg (Produced by Warren G)
   • Samples "Sign of the Times" by Bob James and "I Keep Forgettin'" by Michael McDonald
8. "Pour Out a Little Liquor" - 2Pac & Thug Life (Produced by Johnny J)
   • Samples "Cry Together" by the O'Jays
9. "Gonna Give it to ya" - Jewell Featuring Aaron Hall (Produced by Paisley)
10. "Afro Puffs" - Lady of Rage featuring Snoop Doggy Dogg (Produced by Dr. Dre)
    • Samples "Love that will not Die" (Intro) & "Superman Lover" (Intro), both by Johnny "Guitar" Watson
11. "Just so Ya No" - CPO Featuring Boss hogg (Produced by Tony Green)
    • Samples "Tonight's the Night" by Raydio
12. "Hoochies need love too" - Paradise (Produced by S "Bright Eyes" Riley, Suamana Brown)
    • Samples "Groove with You" by the Isley Brothers
13. "I'm still in Love with You" - Al B. Sure! (Produced by Al B. Sure!)
    • Remake of "I'm still in Love with You" by Al Green and Willie Mitchell
14. "Crack'em" - O.F.T.B. (Produced by DJ Quik, O.F.T.B., T.K.O.)
    • Samples "Playing Your Game Baby" by Barry White
15. "U Bring Da Dog Out" - Rhythm & Knowledge (Produced by Sean "Barney" Thomas)
16. "Blowed Away" - B-Rezell (Produced by Devante Swing and Timbaland)
17. "It's Not Deep Enough"- Jewell (Produced by Mr. Dalvin)
    • Samples "Wind Parade" by Donald Byrd
18. "Dogg Pound 4 Life" - Tha Dogg Pound feat. Snoop Dogg (Produced by Dat Nigga Daz)
19. "Pain" - 2pac feat. Stretch (Produced by Stretch - only available on the cassette version)
    • Samples "Living Inside Your Love" by Earl Klugh
20. "Loyal to the Game" - 2Pac feat. Treach and Riddler (Produced by Reginald Heard - only available on the cassette version)
    • Samples "Sparkle" by Cameo
21. "Mi Monie Rite" by Lord G (Produced by Tony Green - only available on the cassette version)

Reception

Box office

The film was released on March 23, 1994, grossing $3,738,800 on opening weeked. At the end of its theatrical run, it had grossed a total of $16,192,320.

Awards

1995 MTV Movie Awards

• Best Movie Song — Regulate by Warren G. (nominated)

Critical

Peter Travers stated "It's Shakur who steals the show. The rapper's offscreen legal problems are well known, but there's no denying his power as an actor." Variety said "A fine cast and the movie's general energy can't overcome that mix of cliches and technical flaws, which should conspire to prevent any high flying at the box office."^[2]

See also

• Above the Rim (Original Soundtrack)

References

External links

• Above the Rim at the Internet Movie Database